Liquid gauge



`,une 21, 1938.

c. v. oYr-:NA

LIQUID GAUGE .Filed Feb. 21, 1927 Patented June 21, 1938l .f1-QUID GAUGEy Olen, Cliollll.v application remar; s1, 1921, semi No. 169,121 s claims. (ci. 'z3-299) This invention relates tozindicators and-more particularly to a measuring' liquid s stabilizer therefor, although certain features thereof may be employed with equall advantage for other purposes.l v l t It contemplates more especially-'the provision of means for preventing-uctuations -in an indicating .medium irresponsive "to changes 'in pressure, thereby enabling amore accurate reading at all times. Y

Gauges or indicators are generally associated with vehicles and other contrivances which are subjected to vibratory impulses which'impart rapid fluctuations in the measuringmedium employedlinl the gauge, thereby makingit impossible or extremely difficult to obtain an accurate reading ofY the `gauge during van' interim 1 wherein movement is imparted to the vvehicle supporting the gauge.- f i l To obviate such undesirable conditions, it has been found desirableto provide means in association -with a measuring medium Lof a gauge to effect a.v condition therein in ran effort-'to stabilize the level of the liquid'even during a period oil.

much vibration created during lmovement oroperation of the vehicle. A I One object of thefpresent invention is to simplify the construction and improve the operation of devices of the character described.

Another object is the provision of means within a gauge to minimize the'uctuations of the measuring medium thereof. l

A further object is to provide means for effecting a capillary attraction with the measuring medium of a gauge to render the liquid irresponsive to vibrations in the medium being measured.

A still further object is to provide unitary means for subjecting a gauge to a difference of pressure existing in a conflning medium communicating therewith.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the following descriptionof'an illustrated embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a view-in elevation of a deviceembodying features of the present invention, there being shown novel means for subjecting agauge to thev differences of Ypressure existing in a pressure confining medium; and l l Figure 2 is a similar view showing another manner of subjectingv a gauge to a difference of pressure existing in` a pressure confining medium.

The structure selected for illustration comprises a gauge of any suitable construction, in this instance of the manometer type constituting a U-shaped transparent tube I 0 adapted to confine any suitable measuring liquid II therein of known density. 'I'he tube III is calibrated in any appropriate manner such as by impressing graduations I2 on the surface thereof in a-suitable 5 position to enable the level I3 of the liquid II to be measured with reference thereto. Obviously. the calibrations I2 may be appliedto the other leg or intermediate portions of the tube I0 should technical practice dictate such an arrangement. 10 A The gauge is preferably subjected to the difference of pressure existing in a confining medium such as a tank which contains liquid I5,- the level of which is indicated by referenceto the l level of themeasuring liquid II in the gauge III is which may be situated remotely with respect to the tank Il. Itis desirable to eifectr communication' between the contents of the tank I4 and the gauge III through a single aperture, this being accomplished inthe present instance by providing a T-union I6 having one branch I 'I thereof in engagement with'the tank Il. The other branches I3 and I3 are provided which threadedly engage independenttubes 22 and 23 inr com- I munication therewith. f 1 25 The tubes 22 and 23 communicate with the f open extremities of the gauge III in any suitable manner as by the unions 2l which effect a detachable connection therebetween. Another tube 25, constituting a continuation of the tube 23, is axially disposed within the union I3 to establish communication between tube 23 and the bottom of the tank I4, the tube 25 defining concentric passages 28 and 21 in the union I6 which communicate with the tubes 22 and 23 respectively.

The passage 26 communicates with the upper portion of the tank Il whereby the liquid Il -in gauge I0 at one side is subjected to the pressure of the air contained within the tank I4 and tube 22 until such tank is completely filled. 'I'here being two air lines to the gauge I0 from tank I4, one 23 from the lower portion of the tank Il, and the other 22 from the upper portion of the tank I4, which line has just been referred to, added air pressure within the tank Il above the level of liquid I5 is balanced and causes no fluctuations in the gauge I0. 'I'he level of liquid II in gauge Ill must therefore vary with the fluctuations in the level ofthe liquid I5vwithi-n the tank I4 and ynot otherwise.

When the tank Il'islled, the liquid l5 closes the .tube Il, sealing off a column of air extend- Ling to gauge lI 0- through tube 22:.v` Iffthe-tank I4 of as is usual in underground fuel oil tanks. filling of such column does not force the liquid II out of gauge l for the air sealed in tube 22 by closure of tube I 'I prevents such escape. The liquid II in gauge I0 will therefore remain stationary in said gauge until the excess liquid I is removed from tank I4 and the level of such liquid I5 in said tank I4 drops suiliciently to unseal the passage from tank I4 to tube I1.

In this manner the gauge I 0 is subjected to the pressure of the liquid contents I5, and the measuring liquid II thereof vcannot possibly vescape inthe event the pressure or liquid height in the tank I4 exceeds the capacity of thegauge, It being likely that the space above the liquid I5 in the tank I4 is, under normal conditions, atmospheric pressure. In the event the tank I4 contains liquid I5 subjected to a vacuum feed system, the pressure would be below atmospheric. In either event, the graduations I2 for the gauge I0 are calibrated to indicate the quantity" of liquid I5 Within the tank I4 regardless of the pressure existing thereabove as both sides of the gauge I0 are subjected thereto.

The tube 25 has an enlarged concavity 28 at its lower extremity to confine a column of air therein so as to prevent the liquid I5 from being drawn therein, the air column confined within the tubes 23 and 25 serving as a pressure transmitting medium for causing the gauge liquid level to proportionally vary responsive to the quantity of liquid I5 in the tank I4, The enlarged concavity 28 prevents capillary attraction at the mouth of the tube 25, as it does not allow the liquid to come in contact with the mouth of tube 25, thereby insuring a proper pressure transmittal to the gauge Ill.

The gauge I0 is advantageously employed for measuring liquid such as the fuel content in tanks carried on vehicles or other mechanisms subjected to vibratory impacts caused by the locomotion or operation thereof. As a result the measuring liquid II will ordinarily fluctuate to such an extent as to render accurate readings impossible. To obviate such defective conditions, the present invention contemplates the'provision of means for preventing or substantially reducing the fluctuations in the measuring liquid I I to a negligible degree.

The stabilizing means, in this instance, consists of a rod 29 immersed in the measuring liquid II of the gauge I0 to create capillary attraction between the liquid particles and the rod 29. Various expedients may be employed for increasing the capillary attraction between the liquid and rod 29, it being effective to provide a helical rib 30 thereon defining closely associated grooves 3| which effect a capillary attraction between the particles of liquid associated therewith.

Further, a plurality of apertures 32, is provided in the rod 29 of such miniature size to attract the particles therearound so that the rod 29 is not readily movable relative thereto in that there will not be any considerable fluctuations in the liquid II due to its association with the rod 29 which effectively interferes therewith. The interference is sufficient to substantially destroy vmovement of the liquid II which would be otherwise responsive to sudden changes in pressure. Obviously, either one or both of the expedients described in connection with rod 29, may be employed as technical practice may dictate, it being a purpose of this invention to provide any suitable means which controls the fluctuations of the measuring liquid to enable an accurate reading of the gauge II under all conditions.

In a modified embodiment of the invention disclosed in Figure 2, the gauge I0' is subjected to the pressure existing in the tank I4 by virtue of a pair of tubes 22' and 23' which project through independent passages in the tank I4. It is to be noted that the tube 23' terminates in an enlarged concavity 33 which is in communication with the tank I4 so as to prevent the possibility of liquid being caught therein and retained by any capillary action which would be created in the event the tube 23' terminated in a restricted orifice in association with the tank, there always being a' possibility of liquid being displaced in the vicinity thereof. Tube 22 like the tube 25 (Fig. 1) is provided with an enlarged concavity 28', the extremity thereof subjecting the gauge I0' to the correct pressure of the liquid I5', which would be somewhat modified and of a varying character in the event a restricted passage chamber 28' were.employed due to capillary adhesion of the particles therein.

`It will be apparent that a novel means has been provided to prevent fluctuations in the measuringv liquid of the gauge as variations are vregistered thereby which are solely responsive to pressure changes in the liquid I5 and not by any movement ofthe gauge I0' or the liquid I5' caused by the locomotion or operation of the vehicle to which it is secured.

Various changes may be made in the embodiment of the invention herein specifically described without departing from or Vsacriicing any of the advantages thereof as defined in the appending claims.

I claim:-

. 1. In an indicator, a chamber having a section of, pre-selected form, and a baille disposed in said chamber, the exterior of said baffle having a helical rib, the periphery of which -conforms generally to the shape of said chamber, the body of said baffle being foraminous whereby the capillary attraction between said baille and the liquid in said chamber is materially augmented.

2. In combination with a pressure source, a transparent chamber in communication with said source, a measuring liquid in said chamber. and a body of foraminous material having a helical rib thereabout, the periphery of the rib portion of said body being spaced equidistantly from the walls of. said chamber, said foraminous body and said rib structure creating increased capillary attraction between the liquid and said body to retard fluctuations of liquid in said chamber.

3. In combination with a pressure source, a transparent chamber in communication with said source, a measuring liquid in said chamber, and a rod submerged in said liquid, said submerged rod having a helix on the surface thereof uniformly spaced from the wall of said chamber and apertures therethrough to retard the movement of the liquid with respect to said rod.

4. In combination with a liquid tank, and a U-tube gauge containing a liquid, a conduit connected to one leg of said gauge, extending downwardly into the tank, and being in open communication with the liquid near the bottom of the tank, said conduit being of relatively slight diameter and being enlarged several times its diameter for an appreciable extent at its lower end, and a second conduit connected to the other leg of, said gauge and terminating at the top of said tank and Vbeing in open communication therewith, said second conduit also being of a relatively slight diameter and being enlarged several times its diameter for an appreciable extent above its terminal, said enlargement being independent of, separated and spaced from, said irst named conduit.

5. The combination with a tank containing liquid and having a ller pipe extending upwardly thereabove, of an air chamber within said tank and communicating with the liquid at the depth to be measured, a pressure gauge, means for placing said air chamber and one side of said pressure gauge in communication, and means for placing the other side of said pressure gauge and said tank above the liquid in communication to equalize the pressure therebetween, said last mentioned means having an enlarged chamber at its point o1 communication with said tank and at a level below that of the upper end ot said ller pipe so that the liquid does not pass beyond the enlarged chamber into the remaining portion when the level of liquid in said iiller pipe is above said enlarged chamber.

CORNELIUS V. OYEN. 

